Workpiece treating unit



Dec. 9, 1947. 'r. M. SHEA 2,432,131

WORKPIECE TREATiNG UNIT Filed Aug. 22, 1945 INVENTOR n THOMAS M. SHEA BYQ v Q9 ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 9, 1947 WORKPIECE TREATING UNIT Thomas M. Shea, United States Navy, San Francisco, Calif.

Application August 22,1945, Serial No. 612,116

(Granted under the act of March 3, 1883, as amended April 30, 1928; 370 0. G. 757) 4 Claims.

This invention relates to work piece treating units and more particularly to a structure which is useful for treating articles to place them in corrosion proof condition. The structure preferably embodies a plurality of treating liquid receptacles and a wrapping material support, all adapted for the packaging of articles in corrosion proof condition.

When shipping metal parts of one type or another and particularly when shipping such articles abroad, it is necessary that the articles be carefully treated and wrapped in order to prevent corrosion both during the shipping period and when the parts are in storage. To that end, the articles are normally immersed in various cleaning and oil sealing baths and are then carefully wrapped. The wrapped articles in turn, are further sealed to prevent the entrance of moisture or of any corrosive media into the package. Packaging of articles in this fashion is often made diflicult by the fact that shipments are made up which comprise but a few units, and great inconvenience and delay may result when small groups of articles are brought to a central processing and wrapping point. The apparatus available at such central locations is normally adapted to the treatment of large numbers of parts and the necessary treating baths and wrapping facilities are not conveniently grouped together. Accordingly, it is desirable that a compact unit be made available which incorporates the necessary treatment and wrapping facilities, and which is particularly adapted to the treatment of a relatively small number of articles in an efficient manner.

It would be even more desirable that the necessary processing and wrapping facilities be easily transported from place to place within the area where the articles to be wrapped are stored. The use of a portable structure of this character permits the necessary articles to be wrapped on the spot as they are brought from the storage facility.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a structure embodying the necessary receptacles and supports for receiving treating solutions and for mounting materials used in placing of various articles in corrosion proof packages.

A further object is to provide a structure of the above character which is particularly adapted to the treatment of small lots of articles and which facilitates the placing of each of said treated articles in a corrosion proof package.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a structure of the type set forth in the foregoing objects, which can readily be transported from place to place and which can be used in any desired location without loss of function.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the present invention, I have provided improved details of structure, the preferred form of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein the figure is a perspective view showing the various elements of the structure.

Referring more in detail to the drawing:

In the embodiment of the invention herein illustrated, the frame work of the structure preferably comprises a top panel I, and a lower panel 2. These panels are spaced apart by vertical supports joined to the panels, the forward supports being indicated at 3, the intermediate supports (only one of which is shown) at 4, and the rearward supports at 5 and 6. Caste-red wheels I, which support the structure and permit of its ready removal from place to place, are mounted as shown below each of the corners of the lower panel 2.

Tanks 8, 9 and It are rigidly mounted on the forward portion of the toppanel l, the top of each tank being flush with the top surface of the supporting panel. A liquid treating medium, as an oil or a solvent, is placed in each tank when the structure is in use, as will be discussed more fully below. Tanks 8, 9 and H! are of approximately the same dimensions, and each tank is large enough to receive a basket member H. The normal practice is to place the parts to be treated in the basket, the parts then being immersed in the liquid contained in a given tank as the basket is placed therein.

Each of the tanks 8, 9 and I0 is normally provided with a cover, one of which is shown at l2, to protect the liquid in the tank from contamination during the period when the structure is not in use.

Another tank, [3, is preferably slidably mounted beneath the rearward surface of the top panel I.

that it can be easily slid into open and closed positions with respect to the top panel I by merely pushing or pulling on the end portion l5. Roller members, not shown, may be mounted, if desired, on the surfaces of the angle irons which bear the weight of tank 13. Alternatively, roller members can be mounted on the top edges l6 of tank [3. This slidably mounted tank is of substantially the same dimensions as are tanks 8, 9 and I0 and is therefore adapted to receive the basket H.

This tank is mounted on angle irons (one of which is shown at M) in such a manner An additional tank, I1, is preferably secured to, and is mounted for pivotal engagement with, the rearward vertical support 6; mounted in this fashion, the tank can readily be swung into open and closed position with respect to top panel I.

The parts under treatment are normally individually dipped by hand into the liquid contained in tank l1, so it is not essential that this tank be as large as are the other tanks mounted on the structure.

Suitable draining means I8 are provided at the bottom of each of the tanks mounted in the structure, whereby any liquid present in the tank can be drained as desired.

Tanks 8 and I! are preferably provided with resistance heating elements, the extremities of which are shown at I9 and 28, whereby the contents of these tanks may be heated to any desired temperature. The reference numeral 2| designates the electrical lead to switch box 22, the switch controlling the heating unit in tank 8 being shown at 23, while switch 24 controls the heating unit in tank H. A thermometer 25 attached to tank 8 is used to show the temperature of the contents of that tank since the oil present therein is normally maintained at a predetermined temperature. A similar recording instrument may be used in connection with tank H if desired.

A horizontal support 26 is mounted between the vertical supporting members and 6. Support 26 serves to hold rolls of wrapping material shown at 21,, the loose ends of which are passed under a hold-down bar 28 attached, as shown, to the rear portion of top panel I. The rearward surface of the top panel I is ruled or graduated into spaced grooves, and with the aid of this ruled surface, any pre-determined length of wrapping paper from rolls 21 can be cut by pulling it outv to the desired length and then tearing it against the bar 28 or cutting it with aknife in the desired groove.

An extensible work table 29 may be provided in the structure if desired, this table being slid into place beneath the surface of top panel I when not in use.

Operation The manner in which the structure described above may be used will now be set forth in de tail. The basket containing the metal parts to be treated is first immersed in the liquid contained in tank l3, this liquid normally comprising a solvent for grease and oils. The basket is then removed from the solvent bath and after a proper draining interval, is immersed in the liquid contained in tank 9. This liquid is preferably of such a character that it will remove all fingerprints from the surface of the articles being treated. When occasion arises to handle the articles after their removal from this bath, rubber gloves should be worn in order that no other fingerprints be left on the surface of. the articles.

On removal from tank 9, the basket isalternatively immersed either in the liquid contained in tank 8 or that contained'in tank I9. Both of these liquids are rust preventative compounds, though that present in tank 8 is of the type which. is normally used at temperatures of about 140 F. to about 160 F., whereas that in tank H? is normally employed at room. temperatures.

On being removed from tank 8 or 10, the parts are then removed from the basket, rubber gloves preferably being worn, and are placed on the sliding work table 29 for identification and assembly.

If more than one part is required to form a set, a set is so assembled for wrapping. The treated parts are then wrapped with the paper provided at 21 to prevent removal of the rust preventative compound. Labels are then applied to the wrapped package to identify the contents thereof.

The wrapped and labeled packages are then individually dipped into a hot wax solution contained in tank ll. On removal of the package from this bath, the wax present on the package surface hardens and serves to prevent the entrance of all moisture and liquid media. The transparency of the wax permits the label to be read.

If desired, an over-wrapping of Cellophane can then'be applied to the package and heat-sealed to itself. The presence of the Cellophane prevents the wax coating from being scraped off and further prevents the sticking of one package to another.

The structure described above is complete in and of itself and can be steered down between storage bins and used at any desired location. All that it is necessary to do on reaching the location where the structure is to be used is to plug the cord 2| into a suitable source of current, thereby to provide the heat necessary in tanks 8 and H.

The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States of America for governmental purposes without the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.

Iv claim:

1. In a portable work treating structure. in combination, a frame comprising a top horizontal panel and vertical supports joined to said panel and acting to support the same; rotatably mounted wheels joined to the lower extremities of said vertical supports acting to support said frame; a plurality of fixed open tanks mounted on said panel; an open tank slidably supported under said panel for movement into open and closed positions with respect to said panel, said fixed tanks and said sluidably mounted tank having substantially the same. dimensions, and each of said tanks being adapted to receive a work basket containing work to be immersed in any liquid contained in said tanks; an open tank pivotally mounted under said panel for movement into open and closed positions with respect to said panel; a first heating means mounted in one of said fixed tanks and arranged to heat said tank and the contents thereof; a second heating means mounted in said pivotally mounted tank and arranged to heat said tank and the contents thereof; and a horizontal material supporting means mounted on said frame in a position above said panel.

2. In a portable work treating. structure, in combination, a frame comprising a top horizontal panel, a bottom horizontal panel, and vertical supports joined between said panels and acting to space them apart; rotatably mounted wheelsv joined below said frame and acting to support the same; a plurality of fixed open tanks mounted on said top panel; an open tank slidably supported under said top panel for movement into open and closed positions with respect to said top panel, said fixed tanks and said slidably mounted tanks having substantially the same dimensions, and each of said tanks being adapted to receive a work basket containing work to be immersed in any liquid contained in said tanks; an open tank pivotally mounted under said top panel for movement into open and closed positions with respect to said top panel; a first heating means mounted in one of said fixed tanks and arranged to heat said tank and the contents thereof; a second heating means mounted in said pivotally mounted tank and arranged to heat said tank and the contents thereof; a horizontal material supporting means positioned above said top panel; supports for said material supporting means mounted on said frame; and a horizontal bar mounted under said horizontal material supporting means and having its end portions secured to said supports and adjacent said panel.

3. In a portable work treating structure, in combination, a frame comprising a top horizontal panel, a bottom horizontal panel, and vertical supports joined between said panels and acting to space them apart; rotatably mounted wheels joined below said frame and acting to support the same; a plurality of fixed open tanks mounted on said top panel; an open tank slidably supported under said top panel for movement into open and closed positions with respect to said top panel, said fixed tanks and said slidably mounted tanks having substantially the same dimensions, and each of said tanks being adapted to receive a work basket containing work to be immersed in any liquid contained in said tanks; an open tank pivotally mounted under said top panel for movement into open and closed positions with respect to said top panel; draining means mounted on the bottom of each tank in the structure; electrical resistance heating means mounted in one of said fixed tanks and arranged to heat said tank and the contents thereof; a second electrical resistance heating means mounted in said pivotally mounted tank and arranged to heat said tank and the contents thereof; a switch box mounted on said top panel, said switch box being provided with a lead arranged for connection to an external source of current, leads to each of the aforesaid resistance heating means, and switches to control the supply of current to each of said heating means; a horizontal material supporting means positioned above said top panel; supports mounted on said frame for said material supporting means; and a horizontal bar mounted under said horizontal material supporting means and having its end portions secured to Said supports and adjacent said panel.

4. In a structure for treating workpieces, in combination a frame comprising a top horizontal panel and vertical supports joined to said top panel and acting to support the same; a plurality of fixed open tanks mounted in said panel; a plurality of relatively moveable open tanks mounted on said frame in a position below said top panel; and a horizontal material supporting means mounted on said frame in a position above said panel.

THOMAS M. SHEA.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 354,441 Wood et a1 Dec. 14, 1886 448,113 Bolton Mar. 10, 1891 1,092,761 Tyler Apr. 7, 1914 1,211,385 Bartholomew et al. Jan. 9, 1917 1,847,760 Harris Mar. 1, 1932 

